One hundred days have already passed since that day we left Bree. It was a beautiful morning in the Association Headquarters. I had finished talking with Zandy and Rastellion about the days to come, and both looked committed to doing their best job. Zandy was very nervous, but i know she will do a great job. I saw her react with great strength and courage after her husband left, ready to take care of those who needed her. I know she won't dissapoint me.
We rode to the Forsaken Inn and spent our first night of that trip laughing, eating and loving. The shadow of war was still far away and we had no reason to be worried. The next days we rode through the lone lands, the trollshaws, Eregion and Moria. A dark world were darkness lurks. I will never understand how a dwarf can look so normal and yet decide to leave in such an unnatural place. I can now confirm that one of the most beautiful sights i have ever seen was the Mirrormere waiting outside of Moria. I will never return to that place...
Then we rode to Lothlorien, and i saw the mellyrn for the first time. Rhia still looked like the most beautiful thing in that place, and even elves would look at us pass, more focused on her shy smile than in our weapons and strange clothes. After that we rode for another day up to Stangard. And the rest... the rest i know.
One hundred days... I look around me and i ask myself how everything can change in such a short period of time. The men are tired, the siege continues and the provisions run low. The rain has stopped for now and every now and then a glimpse of the dark sky can be seen. The fires of the orcs can be seen in the distance, next to the siege engines that look like shadows from here.
Isn't this my duty? Isn't a man's duty to protect his land and his people from an enemy? From THE enemy? If it is so, then why do i feel like i don't belong here? Why do i miss my wife and my friends? Why do i miss the ale from the Pony and the smells from the market? Am i not honorable?
Could i return to Bree and forget what is going on in the world? Could i hug my wife and look her in the eyes knowing i gave my back to our land? Could i ever play my harp or ride a horse with my mind free of guilt? I know well enough myself to know the answers... Then why do i feel out of place?
And then... i look at my men, at my unit, and i feel proud. I have been their Lieutenant for only two weeks and they have proven to be men of great courage and most important, men i can trust. How can i even think in leaving them now, when the danger is great, and the enemy howls at our gates?
No, i will return to my love. But not before i answer my duty to Valar and men and fight back the abominations that threaten everything that is good in this earth. Tomorrow we won't fight for us. Tomorrow we fight for everyone hiding behind us. Because we are the Riders of Rohan, and we will show the strength of men.
As i write this, i finally know why i feel out of place: war was never meant to be anyone's environment. War is naught but another corruption of the enemy... perhaps his biggest one.
Dire deeds awake, dark it is eastward.
Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!
Forth Eorlingas!"
